French Lick Resort CEO Chuck Franz named for national lifetime honor

French Lick — Chuck Franz, who has led French Lick Resort since 2014, will receive the 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award from Historic Hotels of America. It is the group’s top honor for an individual.

Historic Hotels of America is the official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation for recognizing historic hotels. Franz will accept the award Oct. 15 at the group’s annual awards gala at the Williamsburg Lodge in Williamsburg, Virginia.

Franz runs the 3,000-acre resort, which includes two restored historic hotels: the French Lick Springs Hotel and the West Baden Springs Hotel, a National Historic Landmark. The resort is the largest investment ever made by Bill Cook, founder of the medical device company Cook Group.

Franz grew up in Clarksville, Indiana. He played basketball at Indiana University and was a member of the 1981 national championship team. He joined Cook in 1984 and held a range of roles there over 30 years. Along the way, he became a trusted advisor to Bill and Gayle Cook on their business, preservation and other major projects.

In 2014, he was asked to take over the resort full time. Since then, the resort has built several workforce housing neighborhoods and added the Valley Tower wing, with more than 70 rooms. It restored the historic West Baden Billiards and Bowling Pavilion and, most recently, added new cottages and started golf course construction.

“Under his leadership, French Lick Resort stands as one of Indiana’s leading tourism destinations and economic engines,” said Lawrence Horwitz, executive vice president of Historic Hotels of America and Historic Hotels Worldwide.

a large building with a pool in front of it

Franz credited the resort’s staff and the people behind the restorations.

“This recognition reflects the dedication of the entire French Lick Resort team and the vision of those who made the preservation and restorations of this remarkable property possible,” he said. “It has been a privilege to help protect the Resort’s rich history while preparing it for future generations.